Anorexia is an eating disorder in which the person (usually females) feel
that they are too fat even though they either have a normal weight or are
even underweight.

When a baby is developing, anorexia and the malnutrition that results from
it can cause complicatons like premature delivery and low birthweight.
These babies are more likely to be born by Caesarian section and have low
Apgar scores. (Apgar scores are done right after a baby is born to measure
how well the baby's heart is pumping blood and breathing and helps guide
doctors and nurses in determining if any additional help needs to be given
to the baby.) In addition, babies born to women with anorexia are also
more likely to have birth defects. Other eating disorders have similar
effects on the baby.

Women who have anorexia also have low body fat (as a result of eating so
much less than they should). These women have lower levels of sex hormones
and often don't have menstral periods because of the low body fat (this is
called amenorrhea). In addition, women with anorexia can lose the ability
to ever have children.

As you can see, anorexia is a serious condition. It often helps if
students who are concerned about themselves or friends talk to an adult,
like a parent, school counselor, teacher or doctor about this. (Many
communities have special health clinics for teens where they can go to
talk about these and other things.)